Religions

 Multicultural Education 2120

I chose to do my research on Buddhism because I have never met anyone who practiced this religion.  Buddhism was founded in Northern India by Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, and has spread into much of the far East.  It is also said to “currently have 376 million followers and is generally listed as the world’s fourth largest religion after Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism” (Robinson, B.A, 1996-2011).  One of Buddha’s major teachings is called the four noble truths.  The four noble truths are “there is suffering, there is cause for suffering, there is cessation of suffering and there is a path leading to the cessation of suffering” (Robinson, B.A, 1996-2011).  The main purpose of Buddhism is the attain enlightenment.  Siddhartha came up with eight things that will help you attain enlightenment.  The eight ways are “understand wholesome and unwholesome deeds and Karma, the intention of non-greed and non-hatred, abstaining from malicious speech, abstaining from killing and stealing, abstaining from corrupt means of livelihood, sustaining a wholesome state, the four foundations of mindfulness and abandoning the five hindrances.” (Robinson, B.A, 1996-2011) 

  Having students in your classroom that believe in different religions comes with many challenges and benefits.  One challenge would be that the child may be picked on for being putting his faith in something different.  Also there could be fights or arguments break out because the students do not agree with what he says is right.  However a benefit could be the students may have never heard of Buddhism and he could teach the class something new and interesting.  If I had a child who was Buddhist in my class I would accommodate specifically for his needs. If there was a certain activity he could not participate in then I would find something else that was also pertaining to our lesson but that he do

Bibliography

Robinson, B. A. (1996). Religions of the world. [Buddhism, based on the teachings of Siddartha Gautama]